Tamperproof reclosable carton with interleaving flaps



Dec. 16, 1969 e. L. MEYERS 3,484,036

TAMPERPROOF RECLOSABLE CARTON WITH INTERLEAVING FLAPS Filed Jan. 10. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR GeorgeLMeyers G. L. MEYERS Dec. 16, 1969 TAMPERPROOF RECLOSABLE CARTON WITH INTERLEAVING FLAPS Filed Jan. 10. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR George L. Meyers ATTORNEY Dec. 1-6, 1:969

TAMPfiRPRbdF RECLOSABLE CARTON WITH INTERLEAVING FLAPS Filed Jan. 10. 1968 G. L. MEYERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 DmLcanOa an: anal? I80 l3df 1641;

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ATTORNEY G. L. MEYERS 3,484,036

PROOF RECLOSABLE CARTON WITH INTERLEAVING FLAPS Dec. 16, 1969 TAMPER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 10. 1968 INVENI'OR George L. Meyers nite States Patent 3,484,036 TAMPERPROOF RECLOSABLE CARTON WITH INTERLEAVING FLAPS George Leroy Meyers, Menasha, Wis., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 10, 1968, Ser. No. 696,796 Int. Cl. 365d /08, 17/00, 5/54 US. Cl. 229-37 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tamperproof, reclosable carton formed from a single blank wherein side cover flaps are interleaved to prevent the ends of a tear flap from becoming dog-cared. In one form of the invention the adhesive pattern used to maintain the carton in erected form is applied by straight line gluing. In another form, the container side flaps are provided with an interfitting tongue and groove locking arrangement.

This invention relates to a tamperproof, reclosable carton blank construction and more particularly to such a carton blank construction useful for packaging ice cream, condiments or other foods products which incorporate an improved side cover flap construction. This is an improvement of my US. Patent 3,191,848 entitled Tamperproof Reclosable Carton issued June 29, 1965.

In the aforementioned U.S. patent, there is disclosed an improved opening means for a tamperproof carton wherein the opening means lies hidden beneath a skirt construction carried by the top cover in telescoping relationship with the upper walls of the receptacle portion of the carton. While this carton has been well received within the industry, the present invention provides a further improvement in the shelf appearance of the carton and, concurrently, provides a simpler and more economical means for manufacturing the carton.

Specifically, it has been observed that in the course of shipment and stacking of the carton manufactured in accordance with my previous invention that the side cover flaps which not only cover but also protrude slightly from the side receptacle panels tend to become dog-cared in the course of shipment and stacking thereof which detracts from the appearance of the carton when displayed on supermarket shelves or the like. This condition arises from the rubbing of one carton on another when placed in juxtaposition with another carton or from rough and abusive handling of a single carton.

In accordance with the present invention, this potential weakness of the cartons as made previously is effectively overcome by a slight interleaving or overlapping of each side cover panel with a corresponding side panel of the receptacle. It is significant that the interleaving or overlapping must be slight because the side cover panel must be removed from beneath the side panel of the receptacle in order to effectuate the carton opening means. In other words, each side cover panel is releasably disposed beneath one of the side panels of the receptacle.

In a preferred form of the present invention not only is the side cover panel releasably disposed beneath the side panel of the receptacle but also an improved gluing procedure is provided wherein straight line gluing is possible. This results in considerable cost reduction in the manufacture of the carton.

In another form of the invention, an interfitting tongue and groove relationship is provided between each side cover panel and its associated side panel of the receptacle. In both forms of the invention an improved sealing condition is produced.

The inherent advantages and improvements of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon considering the following detailed description of the invention and by reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a paperboard blank comprising a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the blank of FIG. 1 partially folded upon itself;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the squared carton of FIG. 1 partially set up;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the squared carton of FIG. 3 illustrating a subsequent step in setting up the carton;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the squared carton of FIG. 4 illustrating a further step in setting up the carton;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton blank of FIG. 1 in its completely set up condition;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a paperboard blank comprising a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a squared carton made from the blank of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the squared carton of FIG. 8 showing a subsequent folding step;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view, with a portion broken away, showing a folding step subsequent to that shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing an interleaving of locking flaps;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the carton blank of FIG. 8 in its completely set up condition; and,

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a modified glue line pattern for the carton blank of FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a blank A provided with horizontal score lines at 20, 22, 24 and 26. A line of perforation is indicated at 28 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Vertical score lines which run for the entire length of the blank are indicated at 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, Site, and 30 and another vertical score line parallel thereto indicated at 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e and 32 The horizontal score lines the line of perforation 28, and vertical score lines thereby define a top panel 34, a rear panel 36, a bottom panel 38, a front panel which are hingedly connected in series by means of score lines 20, 22, 24, and 26.

Hingedly connected to rear panel 36 by means of vertical score lines 300 and 32c are side panels 42 and 44, respectively. Similarly, hingedly connected to front panel 40 by means of score lines 30e and 32e are side panels 46 and 48. Bottom flap panels 50 and 52 are hingedly connected to bottom panel 38 by means of vertical score lines 30d and 32d.

A front opening fiap is indicated generally at 54 and comprises a first locking panel 54a and a second locking panel 54b which are separated by a series of cut perforations 56. These perforations define an easy opening score line and which is extended at 56a and 56b by means of which flap panels 58 and 59 are interconnected to side panels 46 and 48, respectively.

A front cover panel is shown at 60 hingedly connected to top panel 34 by means of horizontal score line 20. Hingedly connected to front cover panel 60 by means of vertical score lines 30a and 32a are side cover panels 62 and 64, respectively. Additional side cover panels adapted to overlie side cover panels 62 and 64 are shown at 66 and 68 which are hinged to opposite portions of top panel 34 by means of vertical score lines 30b and 32b. Slit 70 separates side cover panel 62 from its additional side cover panel 66 and slit 72 separates side cover panel 64 from additional side cover panel 68. Additional slits at 74 and 76 separate side panels 42 and 44 from bottom flap panels 50 and 52, respectively.

It is an important feature of the present invention that the adhesive pattern may be applied by means of straight line gluing procedures. Thus adhesive is applied at 80 and 82 in order that the carton may be foldably connected in tubular form as an initial step in the gluing operation. Adhesive 80 and 82 is applied to the second front locking panel 54b and to a portion of flap panels 58 and 59 at the lower portion of the blank in FIG. 1, and to a mating portion of front cover panel 60 and portions of side cover panels 62 and 64 at the top of the blank in FIG. 1.

Similarly, straight line gluing techniques may be employed in applying the adhesive at 84 and 94 to side panels 46 and 48, at 86 and 96 to bottom flap panels 50 and 52 and at 88 and 98 to side cover panels 62 and 64.

As has been noted, the blank is first formed into a tubular construction as illustrated in FIG. 2, with panels 54 and 60 in face-to-face relation extending outwardly of the carton tube and bonded together by the facing adhesive strips 80, 82. Thereafter, these :bonded tear-flap panels 54 and 60 are downfolded into overlying relation to panel 40, as seen in FIG. 3, whereby fold lines 20 and perforation line 28 are substantially coincident and are located at one corner of the resultant carton tube. Thereafter, it is squared to the position of FIG. 3 in which bottom flap panels 50 and 52 are first folded inwardly in order to continue the erection of the carton blank.

FIG. 4 illustrates the next step in the folding operation wherein side panels 46 and 48 are folded inwardly into position in overlying relationship to previously folded bottom flap panels 50 and 52. By virtue of the fact that flap panels 58 and 59 of opening flap 54 are attached to side panels 46 and 48 by means of cut perforations 56a, 56b and further because of the fact that the second front locking panel 54b is adhesively secured to front cover panel 60 by means of the adhesive applied at 80 and 82, the front cover panel 60 thereby overlies the front panel 40 and side cover panels 62 and 64 extending from panel 60 closely overlie side panels 46 and 44, respectively.

The next step in the folding sequence is illustrated in FIGS. and 6 wherein side panels 42 and 44 are folded so as to overlie side panels 46 and 48. In so doing, an arcuate edge portion 92 defining an upper edge of panel 42 and corresponding arcuate edge portion 93 on side panel 44 partially overlie their respective side cover panels 62 and 64. This is best illustrated in FIG. 6 with respect to the overlying of side panel 42 over side cover panel 62 in the area designated 100. In this manner, the side cover panel 62 is maintained snugly against the underlying side panel 46 and is prevented from becoming dog-eared or the like when stacked adjacent other cartons or when subjected to rough handling. It will be observed that the additional side cover panels 66 and 68 still have not been folded into position. When this last folding occurs, the FIG. 7 fully erected position is reached in which additional side cover panel 66 is adhesively secured by means of glue 88 to side cover panel 62 and in like manner, panel 68 to panel 64.

The opening of the carton occurs substantially as illustrated and described in my previous Patent 3,191,848 except that the interleaved and protected free ends of side cover flaps 62 and 64 must first be slipped out from under side panels 42 and 44, respectively. Thereafter, the front cover panel 60 is lifted in order to initiate detachment of the second front locking panel 54b from the first front locking panel 54a along cut perforations 56. The rupture quickly extends to cut perforations 56a and 56b thereby permitting pivoting about crease line 22 of the entire reclosable top structure which includes top 34, front cover panel 60, adhesively secured second front locking panel 64b, side cover panels 62 and 64, adhesively secured flap 4 panels 58 and 59, and additional side cover panels 66 and 68. The line of perforations 28 permits flexing of the front panel 40, thereby facilitating insertion of ones finger between the bottom of front cover panel and front panel 40 in order to initiate fracture along cut perforations 56.

In order to reclose the carton, the cover portion is lowered so that the appearance of the carton is essentially the same as prior to the opening. After reclosure the adjacent edges of the first front locking panel 54a and the second front locking panel 54b abut forming a cover lock which retains the cover firmly in closed position.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a modified form of blank indicated generally at B. In the FIG. 8 illustration and in subsequent folding operations thereon illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 14, parts of blank B which generally correspond to parts illustrated in the embodiment of blank A are shown to have a number greater than that shown in blank A.

Thus there is illustrated horizontal score lines 120, 122, 124, and 126. A line of perforation as indicated at 128. Vertical score lines are indicated at a, 130b, 1300, 130d, 130e, and 130 and a corresponding parallel vertical score line extending for the entire length of the blank as illustrated at 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e and 132f. In this manner the blank B is divided into a top panel 134, rear panel 136, bottom panel 138 and front panel 149.

Side panels 142 and 144 are hingedly connected to rear panel 136 by means of vertical score lines 1300 and 1320. Similarly, side panels 146 and 148 are hingedly attached to front panel by means of vertical score lines 130a and 132e. Bottom flap panels 150 and 152 are hingedly connected to bottom panel 138 along vertical score lines 130d and 132d. A front opening flap is indicated generally at 154 and comprises a first front locking panel 154a and a second front locking panel 154b which are separated by means of a series of cut perforations 156. As in the previous blank construction, the series of cut perforations 156 extend at 156a and 156b to provide the joining connection between flap panels 158- and 159 to side panels 146 and 148, respectively. At the top of blank B there is positioned a front cover panel 160 which is hingedly connected to the top panel 34 by means of horizontal score line 120. Hingedly connected to the front cover panel 160 are side cover panels 162 and 164 along vertical score lines 1300! and 132a, respectively.

It will be observed that side panels 142 and 144 differ in contour from those illustrated in blank A in that side panels 142 and 144 are provided with tongue constructions at 143 and 145, respectively. Similarly, side panels 146 and 148 differ from the side panels illustrated for blank A in that side panels 146 and 148 are provided with cut-out or groove constructions at 147 and 149 for purposes of receiving the tongues 143 and 145 in a manner to be discussed hereinafter. Another difference in the construction of blank B is the provision of flanges at 161 and 163 on the flap panels 158 and 159 for purposes of reinforcing the cutout or groove constructions 147 and 149 in a manner to be illustrated hereinafter.

Blank B is provided with additional side cover panels 166 and 168 hingedly connected to top panel 134 by vertical score lines 130b and 132b, respectively. The additional side cover panels 166 and 168 are separated from side cover panels 162 and 164 by means of slits 170 and 172. Similarly, slits 174 and 176 separate bottom flap panels 150 and 152 from side panels 146 and 148, respectively.

For purposes of forming the blank B into a tubular construction there is provided adhesive at 180 and 182 in a manner similar to that provided for blank A. The remainder of the glue pattern differs somewhat as illustrated by the adhesive application at 184 in a generally L-shaped pattern on the interior of side panels 146. A mating glue construction is illustrated at 194 for side panel 148.

After the blank has been formed into a tube by securing the mating adhesive applications at 180 and 182, the bottom flap panels 150 and 152 are folded inwardly to reach the erected position indicated in FIG. 9. Thereafter, the side panels 142 and 144 are folded inwardly in timed sequence with side panels 146 and 148 so that tongue 143 in side panel 142 is interleaved with respect to side panel 146 by being inserted through the cut-out or groove 147 in side panel 146 to form the position illustrated in FIG. ll. This may be accomplished by means of suitable plows which fold the side panels 142 and 146 inwardly. Concurrently, the side panels 144 and 148 are folded inwardly so as to permit tongue 145 to be inserted through the cut-out or groove 149 thereby effectively interleaving side panels 144 and 148 in locking relationship. The flange 163 on the flap panel 159 is so positioned, as seen in FIG. 12, so as to provide support at the base of cut-out or groove 149 so that the tongue 145 does not extend by ripping the cut-out or groove 149. Thereby, the flange 163 provides a bottom support for the tongue 145. In similar manner, the flange 161 on flap panel 158 provides support for the tongue 143 and prevents it from tearing or ripping or otherwise extending the cut-out or groove 147 in side panel 146.

After the interleaving of side panels 142 and 146 by means of the insertion of tongue 143 through cut-out or groove 147 the additional side cover panels 166 and 168 are folded down into sealing engagement with the aid of adhesive 197 on additional side cover panel 168 and adhesive 187 on additional side cover panel 166 thereby completing the sealed and erected carton as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 illustrates a modified form of the application of adhesive in that the adhesive is applied to side panels 144 and 142 which are connected to the rear panel 36 in place of the adhesive application at 184 and 194 to side panels 146 and 148. A further change in the adhesive pattern is that adhesive must be applied to the bottom flap panel 152 as illustrated at 196a. Once again, in order to gain admittance to the sealed carton, the fingers of the user are inserted beneath the front cover panel 160 in order to break through the series of cut perforations 156, 156a and 156b, thereby permitting the top cover and associated flaps to pivot about the top of rear panel 136 in the manner illustrated and described in the Meyers Patent 3,191,848. The line of perforations at 128 facilitates the flexing of the carton adjacent first front locking panel 15412 in order to reclose the carton and the second front locking panel 154]; is returned to the position substantially as shown in FIG. 13 wherein the first and second front locking panels 154a and 15412 abut forming a cover lock which retains the cover firmly in closed position.

It will be apparent that the cartons of the present invention can be set up on most end loading carton equipment. The glue can be pattern applied on the customers equipment or straight line or pattern applied hot melt which may be applied in the carton manufacturers plant. Asthetically, the carton presents a pleasing appearance in that a parallel relationship exists between the cover panels and the main receptacle planels of the carton. The interleaving of the side panels of the carton assists or enhances in sealing the carton. By virtue of the fact that straight line gluing is possible, there results a considerable saving in the carton manufacture. Finally, because the side cover flap is interleaved with a side panel, unsightly dog ears are prevented from the carton caused by rubbing of one carton on another, or simply by rough and abusive handling.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the forms hereinbefore described being merely the preferred embodiments thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A tamperproof reclosable carton formed from a single suitably cut and scored blank having a receptacle portion and a cover portion which telescopes over the upper edges of said receptable portion (a) said receptacle portion comprising hingedly connected front, rear, bottom and two pairs of side receptacle panels, each of said pairs of side receptacle panels comprising a front panel connected side receptacle panel and a rear panel connected side receptacle panel;

(b) said cover portion comprising a top panel hingedly connected to the upper edge of said rear panel;

(c) a front cover panel hingedly connected to said top (d) a first pair of side cover panels hingedly connected to said front cover panel;

(e) a second pair of side cover panels each of which is adhesively secured to a respective one of said first pair of side cover panels;

(f) said front cover panel and said first pair and said second pair of side cover panels forming skirt portions parallel and adjacent to the respective underlying receptacle panels;

(g) means for detachably connecting said front receptacle panel to said front cover panel;

(h) each of said first pair of side cover panels being folded into position overlying a portion of one of said second pair of side cover panels;

(I) each of said overlying first pair and each of said underlying second pair of side cover panels being folded into position overlying the front panel connected side receptacle panels; and

(j) each of said second pair of side cover panels being overlain by a portion of the rear panel connected side receptacle panels so that said first pair of side cover panels is securely held to the side receptacle panels, to resist abusive handling.

2. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 1 including a third pair of side cover panels each of which is hingedly secured to said top panel and each of which overlays a respective one of said first pair of side cover panels.

3. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for detachably connecting said front receptacle panel to said front cover panel comprises:

(a) a first locking panel hingedly connected to said front panel and (b) a second locking panel detachably connected to said first locking panel and hingedly connected to said front cover panel, said first and second locking panels lying in a common plane between and parallel to the interior surface of said front cover panel and the exterior surface at said front receptacle panel.

4. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for detachably connecting said front panel to said front cover panel comprises:

(a) a first locking panel hingedly connected to said front receptacle panel and (b) a second locking panel detachably connected to said first locking panel and hingedly connected to said front cover panel, said first and second locking panels lying in a common place between and parallel to the interior surface of said front cover panel and the exterior surface of said front receptacle panel.

5. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 1 wherein the front panel connected side receptacle panel has a notch therein and wherein the rear panel connected side receptacle panel has a tongue thereon adapted to be inserted through the notch for interfitting locking arrangement of the pair of side receptacle panels, said tongue overlaying a portion of said second side cover panel when inserted through said notch.

6. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for detachably connecting said front receptacle panel to said front cover panel comprises:

(a) a first locking panel hingedly connected to said front receptacle panel and (b) a second locking panel detachably connected to said first locking panel and hingedly connected to said front cover panel, said first and second locking panels lying in a common plane between and parallel to the interior surface of said front cover panel and the exterior surface of said front receptacle panel.

7. A tamperproof reclosable carton formed from a single suitably cut and scored blank having a receptable portion and a cover portion which telescopes over the upper edges of said receptacle portion;

(a) said receptacle portion comprising hingedly connected front, rear, bottom and two pairs of side receptacle panels, each of said pairs of side panels comprising a front panel connected side receptacle panel and a rear panel connected side receptacle panel;

(b) said cover portion comprising a top panel hingedly connected to the upper edge of said rear panel;

(c) a front cover panel hingedly connected to said top panel;

((1) a first pair of side cover panels hingedly connected to said front cover panel; and

(e) means for detachably connecting said front receptacle panel to said front cover panel;

(f) said front cover panel and said first pair of side cover panels forming skirt portions parallel and adjacent to the respective underlying receptacle panels;

(g) each of said first pair of side cover panels being folded into position overlying the front panel connected side receptacle panels and being overlain by the rear panel connected side receptacle panels so that said first pair of side cover panels is securely held to the side receptacle panels, to resist abusive handling.

8. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 7 including a second pair of side cover panels each of which is hingedly secured to said top panel and each of which overlaysa respective one of said first pair of side cover panels.

9. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 3 wherein said second pair of side cover panels is hingedly attached to said second locking panel.

10. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said second pair of side cover panels is detachably connected to a respective one of said side receptacle panels and is folded therewith beneath a portion of said other side receptacle panel.

11. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 4 wherein said second pair of side cover panels is hingedly attached to said second locking panel.

12. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 11 wherein each of said second pair of side cover panels is detachably connected to a respective one of said side receptacle panels and is folded therewith beneath a portion of said other side receptacle panel.

13. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 5 including a third pair of side cover panels each of which is hingedly secured to said top panel and each of which overlays a respective one of said first pair of side cover panels.

14. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 6 wherein said second pair of cover panels is hingedly attached to said second locking panel.

15. A tamperproof reclosable carton as defined in claim 14 wherein each of said second pair of side cover panels is detachably connected to a respective one of said side receptacle panels and is folded therewith beneath a portion of said other side receptacle panel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,073,501 1/1963 Williamson 22944 DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 2295l 

